Olympus OM-2n not metering

Got a OM-2n from my father. I have been drooling over it for a decade as it comes with a 55/f1.2 Zuiko. It also came with 28mm Zuiko and I bought a 100mm Zuiko for it.

However metering needle is not moving. I hear shutter speeds changing when I point to darker or lighter subjects so metering is working. Needle isn't doing anything. This is quite bad as I don't know what shutter speed will be.

Is this typical problem with these camera bodies? Is there anything I can do about it? Worth sending for repairing?

Last edited by verney; 06-18-2009 at 05:00 PM. Click to view previous post history.

A camera of that vintage is likely to also have other issues. Need for foam replacement is common. An overall CLA is probably warranted. Contact these folks, Olympus specialists http://www.zuiko.com/

Also to be considered is dealing with the OM-2 need for mercury oxide constant voltage cells. There is the Wein air cell, but these expire once activated, even without camera use! Alternative are adapters that use today's button cells and a voltage regulator circuit to provide the constant 1.35v needed by the OM-2, and some places can do an internal mod to the camera rather than always using an adapter unit. Again, ask zuiko.com about what they recommend.

Often, when the foam degrades due to age, the meter needle sticks, because the finder is light-sealed with foam, and some of the decomposing foam is sticking to the needle. Generally, a working meter circuit but a needle that doesn't move is due to this phenomena.

I finally got the needle to move. I turned the ISO-rating all the way up and pointed the camera to light. Now the needle sometimes goes up and sometimes not. Not very reliable and it propably isn't showing real values as it shakes a lot.

Sometimes, meter needle sticks to the post. Set to auto, open lens all the way point at very light and lightly tap body. This may dislodge needle, but it will stick again. Meter string under housing could be broken or unwound. Problem could also be that meter coil is "open", would require meter replacement if so. Lots of new and used parts in stock. An overhaul may seem like a big investment, but you'll end up with a fully functional body with new foam and a six month warranty. John, www.zuiko.com

I finally got the needle to move. I turned the ISO-rating all the way up and pointed the camera to light. Now the needle sometimes goes up and sometimes not. Not very reliable and it propably isn't showing real values as it shakes a lot.

*********
Be sure to clean the contacts in the battery chamber with a pencil eraser. The negative pole is the worst. Even an invisible layer or microscopic layer of tarnish will mess things up.